Robert Paul (Bob) Hanzlik, 81, died peacefully on Friday, March 28, 2025, from respiratory complications of ALS. Born in Chicago on November 4, 1943, he was the only child of Mary Catherine (Kitz) Hanzlik and Milton Charles Hanzlik. He grew up in the industrial neighborhood where his father and uncles, like their fathers before them, walked to work daily. From the age of five and every summer through high school, his parents took him to spend a few weeks with relatives on farms near Naylor in southeast Missouri. There he discovered cows, chickens, pigs, mules, snakes, turtles, fish, frogs, ticks and chiggers. These experiences had a profound influence on the rest of his life.
Bob attended Cyrus McCormick Elementary School. In 5th grade he started taking clarinet lessons, and he joined the Lawndale Chicago Boys Club where he continued clarinet lessons, engaged in outdoor nature activities and started learning photography. Once enrolled in Harrison Technical High School he took shop courses (foundry, machine shop), college prep courses, marching and concert band, ROTC, and more Boys Club activities with nature and photography. In his first semester of high school he met an attractive brown-eyed brunette named Lois Lang, not realizing then that he would eventually marry her.
For college Bob chose Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (far from Chicago, close to southeast Missouri, but with in-state tuition), where he majored in zoology, minored in chemistry, and worked in the field and the lab for the Cooperative Wildlife Research Laboratory (CWRL). He also played clarinet in the Marching Salukis band. After two years and the summer in between he returned to Chicago for a summer job at Motorola. He also began dating his former HS classmate Lois. Returning to SIU in the fall he rejoined the CWRL and the Marching Salukis and began changing his major to chemistry while Lois went to UIUC. Absence made the heart grow fonder. He and Lois were married in Chicago on June 18, 1965, and spent their last year of college together at SIU.
During that final year Bob scored well on the Graduate Record Exam and won a prestigious NSF Graduate Fellowship, so in August 1966, after he and Lois graduated from SIU, it was off to grad school at Stanford, a brand-new part of the world for them. It was a mind opening experience. Bob was introduced to backpacking and noon-time running. His research on cholesterol biosynthesis went well, earning him a PhD in Organic Chemistry and an NSF-NATO Postdoctoral Fellowship to study inorganic chemistry at Cambridge University (1970-71). While he and Lois were in Cambridge, The University of Kansas called to offer a faculty position in Medicinal Chemistry. It was a perfect match for Bob’s interests in chemistry and biology, so he jumped at the chance.
At Kansas Bob loved teaching pharmacy undergraduates, doing research related to drug metabolism with grad students and postdocs (more than 50 overall), and contributing to the scientific literature (one book and over 170 research articles). During his 49 years as a faculty member Bob was highly active. His motto, learned at SIU, was work hard, play hard, in that order. Hence his daily noon-time running with the KU Mad Dogs and his avid windsurfing and backpacking, in addition to holding office in several professional societies (ACS, RSC, AAAS, SOT, ISSX). He directed an NIH pre-doctoral training grant (1994-2000}, an NIH Center on Protein Structure and Function (2002-2018), and served as Interim Chair of his department from 2017 until he retired in May 2020. Retirement went well but in 2022 he started to decline and in 2023 he was diagnosed with ALS.
He was preceded in death by his parents, uncles (Edward Kitz and William Hanzlik), and his dear cousin Gloria (Kitz) Burns.
He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 60 years, Lois, her sister Marilyn J. Lang, her brother Daniel G. Lang, and their families.
Private inurnment will take place at Pioneer Cemetery on the KU campus at a later date.
I’ve known Bob a long time, since I was a kid, since he married my big sister.
While I’ve followed Bob’s career with interest, and great pride, the biggest influence Bob had on my life had nothing to do with chemistry or labs.
I was a bit of a spoiled brat at the time that Lois and Bob married (some would say, still), but Bob had patience with me, and took me on my first hike ever. That was down at Giant City State Park in southern Illinois, when he and Lois were finishing up their undergraduate degrees.
The rock formations there were an eye-opening experience, and I wanted more, but back home in Chicago, I didn’t have any opportunities for hiking of any kind.
Fast forward a few years, Bob was doing his doctorate work at Stanford, and Mom, Dad, and I flew out to California to visit him and Lois. (That was the first time ever that I was on an airplane.)
While we were out there, Bob took us to see various places of interest. What was of particular interest to me were the natural things. We went up to Point Reyes, where Bob took a wonderful photograph of Dad, Mom, Lo, and I all standing in a row on the beach, looking out to the ocean. I still have that photograph. (That was another first for me too – the ocean.)
But the big highlight of that trip (for me) was visiting Yosemite National Park for the first time. Bob drove us all over the park, and we hit all the highlights, including seeing Mirror Lake while it was still a lake, and not a meadow. Up on the north rim, along Tioga Road, we picnicked at Tenaya Lake, and then Bob and I did some dome scrambling while Dad fished down below, and Lois and Mom hung out. Somewhere along the way, I think on Tioga Road, Bob got out of the car to take a picture of a bear; that was the first and only time that I have seen (reasonably close) a live bear in the wild.
That trip solidified my earlier interest in hiking (an itch which I was unable to scratch for a great many years), but in particular it gave me a great love for the Sierra, which I have (in my later years) since visited and hiked many times. So that gift of hiking and a love of the mountains was something that Bob gave me, and it was a precious, life-enhancing gift, and I am grateful for it.
Fast forward some more years, I got an undergraduate degree in chemistry (from SIU, where Lois and Bob got their own undergraduate degrees). My choice of major was not as much influenced by Bob as some might think, but I will say that he was a good influence by demonstrating that a normal, everyday kind of person, with enough intelligence and hard work, could succeed in science.
Fast forward more years (two MS degrees, a career in the high stress computer industry in Silicon Valley), my daughter was old enough to take her to Yosemite for the first time.
As a family we went to Yosemite many times, and my daughter and I made other hiking trips in the Sierra on our own. Apparently, these Sierra trips made enough of an impression that she went on to get her undergraduate degree in geology. She hikes when she can and has introduced her friends to Yosemite and the Sierra, so like expanding ripples from a stone thrown into a pond, Bob’s influence has spread wide.
All this time, over so many years, Bob was backpacking when he could, and I would sometimes get photos and trip reports. As a gardener, I have to say that I never paid much attention to wildflowers (because, after all, they are small things compared to the flowers in most ornamental gardens), but once Bob started posting images of wildflowers, I started paying attention. Now, every time I hike, I look for flowers, or fungi, or interesting plants or trees, and take my own photographs of the natural garden. Yet another life-enhancing good influence.
In his later years, Bob continued to inspire me by his continued backpacking. I’m short, and slow, and a terrible hiker, but if he could slog up a 14,000 ft peak in Colorado, then being 10 years younger, I could certainly try hard to achieve my own (much more modest) hiking goals.
All of this is a long-winded way to say that while Bob taught many students during his career, and mentored younger professors, and was generally an asset to KU and to his profession, he also influenced others in ways that had nothing to do with chemistry. Good examples aren’t limited to one’s career (something we should all keep in mind), and Bob was certainly a good example for me.
I love you Bob, and I miss you. Thank you so much for everything that you have done for me.
Your wisdom, wit and guidance steered me through the formative years, Sir. From the moment I met you, your words kept me motivated and focused. Your direct (sometimes cutting) insightful honesty helped me through the frightful challenges of swimming in shark-infested waters of big science. You guided my career gently in many, many ways. You were an amazing mentor and friend. I appreciate you to this day and I carry your memory forward, my friend. I will always remember my 1st day of orientation at KU School of pharmacy as a freshly minted assistant professor…you looked at me and said- “at least you didn’t wear a tie”!!!
Bob Hanzlik had a way of seeing the best in people and quietly helping them grow. He did more than lead research, he built a community. His steady presence, thoughtful guidance, and genuine kindness left a lasting mark on all of us who worked with him. He changed the course of my career with one generous act by inviting me to join the COBRE Center for Protein Structure and Function at KU. All of us who came through that brilliant program will carry his spirit forward in how we support and mentor others.
It is very disappointing to read the message about Dr. Hanzlik. He was as exceptional teacher, connecting a topic at multi disciplinary approach. After attending his class..we leave with a curiosity to find out more on classroom discussions. Even today, I use his PK/PD lectures to educate students. We will miss you Dr. Hanzlik.
Srinath.
I first heard about Dr. Hanzlik when I was a graduate student and came across a chemicals called thioacetamide and thiobenzamide. Dr. Hanzlik has made seminal contribution to the understanding of how these chemicals cause toxicity. Later, from 2008 to 2016 or so, I crossed paths with Dr. Hanzlik again, when he was serving on the external advisory board of the COBRE grant that hired me as a new faculty at KUMC. His insights and strait forward approach to solving problems was very valuable. He was an excellent mentor and an accomplished professional leader. He will be missed. My deepest condolences to the family.
I cherish many professional relationships at the University of Kansas, but Dr. Hanzlik’s was near the top. I was not his peer nor post doc nor graduate nor undergraduate student, yet I was welcomed as an essential part of his research team! That is a rare privilege for a safety officer. I was the University Health Physicist. His thoroughness in lab documentation/written procedures, his commitment to and advocacy for safety first, his clarity/high standards in the lab setting, and his warmth/genuineness made him an outstanding researcher. He was a teacher and mentor even to me as he reviewed and helped make teaching materials better, sought my counsel, served on the Radiation Safety Committee, and invited me to join him in helping to make a colleague or friend even more successful. He had a special way of making everyone around him better! The Bible understands us and holds the key to life after death for it reveals the sinless life and death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.” I treasure the memories!
I am so sorry to hear this news and wanted to express my sincerest condolences to Lois.
It’s been almost 30+ years since I met Dr. Hanzlik in Hangzhou, China. I remember the first lesson I took from him about CYP450 mediated drug metabolism or toxicity in Hangzhou’s Tea Museum. Since then, I transferred to working on P450, received the training from him in KU, and late became a research scientist in this field.
I just can’t say enough about how much I appreciate his mentoring and training. The 3+ years of training from him gave me a solid foundation to face many research challenges throughout my career, and the flexibility to adapt to the changes in my work. I’m honored to have worked in his lab, grateful to have received training from him, and so proud to have been his student.
RIP Dr. Hanzlik. From Ping
Lois, we are so sorry to learn of Bob’s passing. May you find comfort knowing he’s free of pain and suffering.
Curt & Marilyn
I’m so very sorry to learn of Bob’s death. He and I worked together on innumerable committees at KU, and I always valued his reliable presence and calm intelligence. And – he was always, by far, the handsomest man in the room, but I don’t think he was aware of that for a moment. He wore it well, just like his brilliance. Thanks very much for sharing him with us.
Thinking of Bob’s family and friends during this difficult time.
Bob made a tremendous impact on me both personally and professionally. He served as a research mentor during my early faculty years. I am a physician without a deep understanding of chemistry, however my research focus required that I better understand small molecule reactivity. I had the privilege of working in Bob’s lab to conduct experiments and learn from the best. It took a while to assure Bob that I was committed to learning more about chemistry, however once I earned his trust, his commitment in teaching me and providing opportunities for me to grow professionally were incredible. Thank you Bob for sharing your knowledge, experience, and wisdom with me. I never thought that I could learn to enjoy any aspect of chemistry but spending time in your lab with you and Yakov gave me a deep appreciation for a different aspect of science. Also, thank you for sharing your national park adventures – you inspired my family to travel to several of the parks. You’ll be sadly missed. Jen
As I have told Bob many times he was an important and dear friend since we first met during my industrial leave from Astra during 1981 to 1983. My wife Kerstin worked in his lab an that became the start of her entering the metabolism field. We as a family enjoyed many memorable events with Bob and Lois including the special decoration of the X-mas tree. Bob also introduced the benefits with a gas driven barbeque even if it took me 40 years to get my own.
Scientifically and socially we have had many interactions over the years. For example Bob and Lois visited us in Sweden in Södertälje. Later when I had moved to Lund I invited Bob to give an intense course in metabolism for my staff at medicinal chemistry at Astra , which lifted the general comptence level. We also did som running in Sweden but I could never keep up with his pace. It was a pleasure to follow his hiking trips with all nice photos from the mountain areas and now I understand he had some good basic traing in photography.
During my last visit to Lawrence and KU, Bob made the effort to fly in from the east cost after attending a study section to join the party at the Mitschers place which was only months before Les passed away.
When I got the mail from Bob telling he got ALS, it was so nonsentimental and factual as he knew what was coming. Despite this pressing period Bob took his time to read my paper on peripheral CB1 antagonist that finally got published in BMCL 2024 and he replied that I should be proud of this work. This meant a lot to me coming from Bob with his brilliant mind.
RIP Bob and I will keep all good memories.
My sincere condolences to you Lois
So sorry to hear this news. Just remember there are a lot of Mad Dogs and Englishmen at Pioneer Ridge. Ed, Mike Ott, and others are there to welcome you home.
I wanted to express my sincerest and deepest condolences to Lois and all their living relatives.
Bob’s greatest faith was in Science, especially, Chemistry, and he left significant marks in both. Indeed, chemistry is what makes people, and their souls connect to each other. I was extremely lucky to work with Bob for 23 years as his associate and to keep close friendship with him and Lois after retirement. A famous Russian songwriter and singer once said that God takes first the best people because He needs them around. And this can be fully applied to Bob. He ended his journey on earth, but he keeps his journey in our hearts and memory. May Peace and Love be upon his ashes… Missing you Bob… Yakov